Gwen Stefani

The word Harajuku has trickled out of Japan creating buzz words like Harajuku Girls, Harajaku Style, Harajuku Fashion, Harajuku Street Fashion and Harajuku Barbie in the European and Western fashion and entertainment industries and online social media networking sites like MySpace, FaceBook, Ning and many others. Songstress Gwen Stefani’s backup dancers are ‘Harajuku Girls’ and she sings about them in her album ‘Love Music Angel Baby’. The new Hip Hop Rapper Diva, 'Nicki Manaj’, has gained notoriety in her music performances and online as the ‘Harajuku Barbie’ with her colorful fashions and even more colorful hair styles.

In times past, the indisputable core of fashion was ruled from the top. Fashion was controlled by designers, other fashion industry workers or even by High Society. In the world of high fashion or haute couture, designers normally dictate to the public what is “in style” or “out”, what is “hot” and “what is not”.

In Japan, the normal, typical youth have taken the world of fashion by the bolts of fabric and storms of color as the trend setters. Young people, mainly teenagers, are dictating to fashion experts and designers what they wish to wear and consider fashionable.

The ‘One Hundred Million Dollar’ question, what is Harajuku, exactly?

Often referred to as a particular style of fashion in Japan, Harajuku in reality is a specific geographical location around Tokyo’s Harajuku railway station in Japan.

So, how did a train station become associated with clothing and fashion?

Although some people think the style of dress associated with Harajuku looks like the young people were caught up in a train wreck, this is not the right train connection link to ride.

Dating back to the 1980s, teenagers began hanging out in the area surrounding Harajuku station sporting their punk or rock gear, street performing or playing music. Today, the main area of Takeshita Dori or Takeshita Street and its side streets, all a total shopping haven, is a virtual catwalk for fashion. With locals and tourists as the captivated audience, especially on Sundays, the youth engage in cosplay (costume display) with their latest designs or creations, music and ideas.

Lolita Goth

Many fashion styles have emerged from this meeting place in Harajuku like Lolita Goth (Goth Lolita, GothLoli, Gosurori or Loli-Goth) that imitates the female elegance of Victorian dolls; Kawaii meaning “too cute” that uses childlike playfulness with anime and computer characters, toys, ruffles and pastel colors; Decora which makes use of bright colors with ginormous amounts of accessories and decorations from plastic toys to jewelry; and Wamono that mixes traditional Japanese clothing with Western styles. The list goes on as to the creations the teens have put together.

The whole design process and cosplay has become a cultural lifestyle. The females creating, wearing and living this style are known as ‘Harajuku Girls’.

Who would ever have thought that wearing the mismatched outfits or the “No, he/she didn’t!” getup on a part-time or regular basis would someday be considered great fashion?

Believe it or not, these fashion wonders are carefully constructed, well thought out, creative and expressive works of art. The designs are meant to be fun, theatrical, visually, mentally and conversationally stimulating and most importantly, stylish. It is all about the freedom of self expression. The designs don’t just include the clothing and accessories. Hair and make up must complete the stunning look to properly represent the Harajuku district area.

Harajuku, Harajuku!

Yes, this district has made a major impact on the fashion industry in Japan. This impact can be seen now throughout Europe and the United States. Thanks to Harajuku, Japanese fashion has risen in popularity making it a global leader in design with brands like Function Junction, Evisa Janes, A Bathing Ape and Galaxxy. Models, stars and ordinary people are rockin’ the thigh high boots, a skirt of various designs or styles with a t-shirt and a denim jacket, hot and trendy jackets and coats, unique airy and sometimes frumpy kimono like tops and garments.

Designers watch and interview the fashionistas of the Harajuku district to create their designs according to the latest trends. During the twice yearly Japanese fashion week, the new fashions are strutted down the formal catwalks of Tokyo. Many designs sold in the U.S. are creations from Harajuku that have been reworked for the selling label. The fashion influence, however, comes directly from Harajuku.

With the futuristic designs and no fear on a creative level, Japanese fashion inspired by the Harajuku area has tossed a new ball of fun into the fashion arena. The innovative genius injected with a bit of the kooky, crazy, cool at times makes shopping a new and exciting adventure. The possibilities are limitless. Just remember when putting a Harajuku inspired ensemble together, the rule of thumb is to still represent your personality and personal style.